Violator [digital version]

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Violator [digital version] album cover
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK
  • Artist: Depeche Mode (See All Albums by Depeche Mode)

  • Date Released: Jun 6, 2006

  • Genre: Rock/Pop, Style: Pop

  • Label: Rhino/Warner Bros.

  • Copyright: 2006 Sire Records. All rights reserved. Manufactured & Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company

Total Tracks: 15   Total Length: 72:34

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philip sherburne

eMusic Contributor

Electronic music columnist for eMusic.com; writer for fishwrap like The Wire, XLR8R, SF Weekly, RES, Nylon, and Wired; columnist for Pitchfork; blogger (www.phi...more »

01.11.10
Depeche Mode at the peak of their popularity.
2006 | Label: Rhino/Warner Bros.

While there's no single definitive Depeche Mode album — fans' favorites invariably depend in some part upon when they discovered the band — 1990's Violator is certainly the cornerstone of their popularity. Having cemented a growing fanbase with the late '80s albums Black Celebration and Music for the Masses, the band made good on the latter album's title with Violator, breaking into the top 10 ranks of the Billboard 200 for the first time, thanks to its dark, brooding electronic production and some of the most compelling songwriting of the band's career.

According to an online database that tracks covers of Depeche Mode's songs, two Violator singles, "Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus," rank as the band's most frequently interpreted songs. (At last count, they had been covered 191 times and 123 times, respectively.) It's not hard to see why. The curious chord changes of "Enjoy the Silence" suggest a sense of insatiable yearning, even as the lyrics — "All I ever wanted, all I ever needed/ Is here in my arms" — propose a perfect union. (One of Dave Gahan's strengths as a vocalist is the ability to make even the most trite, adolescent cheese seem profound. Who else could… read more »

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For Metalheads Too

KAggie97

I'm a metalhead (as the title suggests) but I remember back in junior high and high school when Depeche Mode were at their peak. I was dating a girl who was into The Cure/Erasure/Depeche Mode so naturally I gave 'em all a try. I still like The Cure and Depeche Mode (Erasure not so much). I love this CD. It's dark enough for the metalheads yet "danceable" enough for the Wavers. "Enjoy The Silence" is one of my favorite songs; "Waiting For The Night" is perfect to listen to during a late summer/early fall sunset. This CD never gets old. For anyone who 13 and up during the late 80s/early 90s, this is a time machine back to the good ol' days.

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Amazing

rbreen

The extra B-sides are a plus! An amazing album. At 272kbps.

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A Classic Album with Neat Extras

snappinshutters

I bought "Violator" a couple years ago at my local record store (best $3 I ever spent!). Every song is a hit. Beautifully written and composed. "Halo" and "Blue Dress" are notable songs that can get overshadowed by singles such as "Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus" (not to say they are bad songs, but to note that there are other great songs on this album as well!). When I saw that eMusic added Depeche Mode, I thought that I wouldn't need to get "Violator" as I already own it. 9 tracks of perfection (they don't make CDs like this anymore...it seems like out of 15 tracks, half are good). But now looking over it again, I saw the extra tracks, which are also great.

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Incredible

Laylavoce

This is Depeche Mode at its best- dark, dirty, and danceable. Perfect DM album.

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It is DM's Best

EMUSIC-MikeyG

Oh the college parties come flooding back in my memeory when listening to this album. Good Times. Great Music. Not to be missed.

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A MASTERPIECE!!!

jcgedg

This album MUST be heard.

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Violator love

jojove3

This is an old favorite that I'm glad to rediscover. Love their music, their songwriting; Martin Gore just has an original and exquisite voice and Dave Gahan gets the job done.

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Phenomenal album.

hutchdeluxe

I'm shocked this is on eMusic. I keep buying and losing the CD, but I maintain that this is one of the few albums you can listen to from beginning to end and enjoy every minute.

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